Dog Aural Hematoma Symptoms and Treatments

Dog Aural Hematoma is a condition that occurs within the dog’s ear flap, causing it to swell because of broken blood vessel. The swelling sometimes can be so large that the opening of the ear canal is occluded. The extra weight of the ear flap is also uncomfortable and may lead to a permanent change in the carriage of the ears. The ear flap will also feel fluctuant and fluid-filled.

More commonly found in dogs than in cats, the causes of aural hematoma in dogs include physical trauma like banging the ear against a hard object, trapped in a door or parasites and infection in the ear canal. Signs and symptoms would include violent head shaking, heading rubbing and a swollen ear flap.

There are various Dog aural hematoma treatments depending on your budget. Aspiration – A process whereby a syringe is use to remove the fluid contents of the hematoma is cheaper but not so effective because it leave a space behind for more fluid to refill it.

Pie Crusting Sutures involves an incision into the ear flap and drained of fluid and blood clot, this treatment would need to place multiple sutures in the hematoma space either vertically or horizontally to prevent the hematoma from refilling up with fluid again. Sutures are usually left in place for up to three weeks to allow good scarring to take place so that refilling will not occur.

Teat Cannula Placement involves putting a small device teat cannula into the dog’s aural hematoma if the ear flap is large enough. The canine hematoma would be drained of fluids and allowed to heal over the next several weeks. This method is by and large successful but does involve the dog begin able to withstand a external tool inserted in its ear flap for several weeks.

If left alone an aural hematoma in dog would cure by itself. It would only take a longer time to recover and of course is uncomfortable for your dog during the healing process.

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